Multi-path video and network channels

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for multi-path video and network channels may comprise a communication device comprising a wideband path (WB) and a narrowband path (NB). A video channel and a network channel may be received in the WB when the device is operating in a first stage. A video channel and a network channel may be received in the WB and the network channel may also be received in the NB when the device is operating in a second stage. The network channel may be received in the NB when the device is operating in a third stage. The reception of the network channel from both the WB and NB may enable a continuous reception of the network channel in a transition between the first and third stages. The WB may be operable to receive a plurality of channels and the NB may be operable to receive a single channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application makes reference to and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/558, 852 filed on Nov. 11, 2011, andU.S. Provisional Application No. 61/559,416 filed on Nov. 14, 2011.

Each of the above identified applications is hereby incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to wireless communication.More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to amethod and system for multi-path video and network channels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Satellite television has advanced from an expensive hobbyist-onlytechnology to a ubiquitous residential television service that rivalscable television, primarily due to reductions in the cost of satellitetelevision reception technology.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth inthe remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and/or method for multi-path video and network channels,substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at leastone of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention,as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be morefully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary multimedia receiver system inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 2 illustrates an example receiver transition from video mode tonetwork channel mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an example state transition diagram for a video mode tonetwork channel mode transition, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example transition from network channel mode tovideo mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating example steps in transitioningfrom a video mode to a network channel mode, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating example steps in transitioningfrom a network channel mode to a video mode, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example receiver transitionfrom video mode to network channel mode, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain aspects of the invention may be found in a method and system formulti-path video and network channels. Exemplary aspects of theinvention may comprise a communication device comprising a wideband pathand a narrowband path, wherein the wideband path may be operable toreceive a plurality of channels and the narrowband path may be operableto receive a single channel. A plurality of video channels and a networkchannel may be received in the wideband path when the communicationdevice is operating in a first stage. A plurality of video channels anda network channel may be received in the wideband path and the networkchannel may also be received in the narrowband path when thecommunication device is operating in a second stage. The network channelmay be received in the narrowband path when the communication device isoperating in a third stage. The second stage may comprise a transitionfrom the first stage to the third stage and from the third stage to thefirst stage. The wideband path may comprise a wideband tuner that isoperable to tune to a plurality of channels concurrently and saidnarrowband path may comprise a narrowband tuner that is operable to tuneto a single channel at a time. The wideband path may comprise a widebandradio frequency (RF) module and a wideband channelization module and thenarrowband path may comprise a narrowband RF module and a narrowbandchannelization module. A network channel may be selected from thenetwork channel received by the wideband channelization module and thenetwork channel received by the narrowband channelization moduleutilizing a crossbar. One or more of the received video channels may beprocessed utilizing a backend module in the communication device foroutput to a display device. The narrowband path may be configured in apowered down state when the communication device is operating in thefirst stage and the wideband path may be configured in a powered downstate when the communication device is operating in the third stage. Thereception of the network channel from both the wideband path and thenarrowband path may enable a continuous reception of the network channelin a transition between the first stage and the third stage.

As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in thelist joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any elementof the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. As another example, “x, y,and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x,y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. As utilized herein, the terms “block”and “module” refer to functions than can be implemented in hardware,software, firmware, or any combination of one or more thereof. Asutilized herein, the term “exemplary” means serving as a non-limitingexample, instance, or illustration. As utilized herein, the term “e.g.,”introduces a list of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, orillustrations.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example multimedia receiver system inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1,there is shown a signal input 101, a communication device 103, a videosignal 105A, a data signal 105B, and a display device 107. The inputsignal 101 may comprise a signal from a satellite dish or a cabletelevision head end, for example. Alternatively, the signal from thesatellite dish or from a gateway device, not shown, may be received atthe communication device 103 wirelessly. Accordingly, the communicationdevice 103 may comprise wireless capability, such as a WiFi front endand associated processing circuitry.

The display device 107 may comprise a high-definition television (HDTV)television, for example, which may be operable to receive audio andvideo signals from the communication device 103 and broadcast them forviewing. The communication device 103 may comprise a multi-modereceiver, such as a set-top box, for example, that may be operable toreceive the input signal 101 and output the video signal 105A and thedata signal 105B.

The communication device 103 may be multi-mode in that it may beoperable to receive video and network channels in separate paths or inthe same path, as described further in FIGS. 2-7. The video signal 105Amay comprise audio and video data for playback by the display device107, whereas the data signal 105B may comprise programming information,such as available television program schedules.

In operation, the communication device 103 may generally have two usecases that have power impact. The first case is video mode, in whichvideos are watched in multiple channels. In addition, data such anelectronic program guide (EPG) may be received in one channel, called anetwork channel. Second is network channel mode, where videos are off,but the network channel is on to update the data, such as the EPG. In anexemplary embodiment, the communication device 103 may have two powermodes, one power mode optimized for the first case and another powermode optimized for the second case. In addition, the receiver mayprovide a transition or hand over from the two modes that is seamless orglitch free.

In the video mode, the receiver may be in a wideband configuration. Inan exemplary scenario, the wideband configuration may capture the entiresatellite spectrum, 950-2150 MHz, and may provide multiple videochannels as well as the network channel. In the wideband configuration,by turning on only the required channels, low power consumption may beachieved.

In the network channel mode, the multi-mode receiver 103 may be in anarrow band configuration. The narrow band configuration may provide asingle channel, while consuming lower power. Switching between wide bandand narrow band, and vice versa, may be achieved through a hand overprocess that enables glitch free network channel operation.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example dual mode radio frequencyreceiver, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referringto FIG. 2, there is shown a receiver 200 comprising a wideband path 210comprising a wideband tuner 201; a narrowband path 220 comprising anarrowband tuner 203; a crossbar 205; and a backend 207. There are alsoshown video channels 209 and data channels 211 as input signals to thewideband tuner 201 and the narrowband tuner 203. Furthermore, FIG. 2shows the receiver 200 in three different stages, illustrating differentpower modes in which the receiver 200 may operate.

The wideband tuner 201 may comprise suitable circuitry for receiving asignal comprising a plurality of channels concurrently, i.e., at thesame time, and selecting a desired channel for output to the crossbar205. The wideband tuner 201 may be considered wideband in comparison tothe narrowband tuner 203 in that it may receive the entire satellitetelevision band, e.g., 950-1250 MHz, whereas the narrowband tuner 203may be operable to tune to a single channel, such as a data, or networkchannel. Accordingly, the wideband tuner 201 may be operable to receiveand tune to any channel across the satellite or cable television bands,for example, and may also be operable to tune to the network channel. Inthis manner, the network channel may be tuned by both the wideband tuner201 and the narrowband tuner 203, thereby enabling a glitch freetransition between a video tuning mode and a network channel tuningmode.

The narrowband tuner 203 may comprise circuitry for receiving signals ina narrow frequency band with an output signal sent to the crossbar 205.In an example scenario, the narrowband tuner 203 may be operable toreceive network channel signals, such as the data channel 211, which maycomprise data such as a programming guide, for example, which requiresless bandwidth than the video channels 209. Accordingly, a widebandtuner is not needed to receive a network channel, although it has thecapability to do so.

The crossbar 205 may comprise circuitry that is operable to selectsignals from a plurality of sources and switch them to any of aplurality of outputs. Accordingly, the crossbar 205 may comprise aplurality of switches that may be operable to select each of theplurality of input signals and route them to a desired output. Forexample, the crossbar 205 may be operable to select a signal from thewideband tuner 201 and route it to any of a plurality of outputs of thecrossbar 205 such that it is communicated to a desired input on thebackend 207.

The backend 207 may comprise circuitry for receiving and processing thereceived video channels 209 and network channel 211 and providing anoutput that may be suitable for display, such as on the HDTV 107, forexample. Accordingly, the backend 207 may comprise audio and videodecoders and video formatting capability for generating audio and videosignals for display.

In operation, the receiver 200 may operate in three stages intransitioning from a video mode to a network channel mode, asrepresented by STAGE 1, 2, and 3 shown in FIG. 2. In stage 1, thereceiver 200 may be configured to receive and process video and networkchannel signals, whereas in Stage 3, the receiver 200 may be configuredto receive only network channel signals, resulting in a low power statefor the receiver 200. Stage 2 may represent a transition stage where thereceiver 200 is transitioning from a wideband mode of Stage 1 to anarrowband mode of Stage 3.

In Stage 1, the wideband tuner 201 may be configured in an active statewhile the narrowband tuner 203 may be in a low power, or off state, forexample. The wideband tuner 201 may be operable to receive a pluralityof video channels 209 as well as the network channel 211, while thecrossbar 205 may be operable to select one or more video channels 209and a network channel 211 from the wideband tuner 201, routing theoutput signals to a plurality of inputs on the backend 207.

The backend 207 may be configured to select the network channelcommunicated from the wideband tuner 201 via the crossbar 205, eventhough the narrowband tuner may be specifically for receiving thenetwork channel 211. In this manner, in Stage 1, the narrowband tuner203 may be powered down while the wideband tuner 201 remains on, whichwould be on in this stage anyway since it is also receiving the videochannels 209 during this stage.

In Stage 2, the narrowband tuner 203 may be switched on, or taken out ofa low power state, to tune to the network channel 211. In this stage,the network channel 211 may be received from both the wideband tuner 201and the narrowband tuner 203, such that the backend 207 may switch fromthe wideband path 210 to the narrowband path 220, as illustrated by theswitching process in the backend 207 in Stage 2. Since the networkchannel is being received from both the wideband and the narrowbandpaths at this time, the backend 207 may switch from selecting thewideband network channel to the narrowband network channel, without aninterruption, or glitch, in the signal.

The transition from wideband to narrowband may be made in one of twolocations. For example, the transition may occur at the backend 211 oralternatively may be made in the tuner stage, the wideband tuner 201 andthe narrowband tuner 203. Accordingly, the switching may be atdemodulator outputs in the tuners, and thus TS packet boundaries, asopposed to the backend 211. This second alternative may provide theadvantage network tuner packets consistently being available from thesame demodulator/TS packet interface.

In Stage 3, the wideband tuner 201 may be switched off or put into a lowpower state while the narrowband tuner 203 remains on and tuned to thenetwork channel 211. In this manner, the receiver 200 may be in a lowpower state while still receiving network channel 211 data.

FIG. 3 is an example state transition diagram for a video mode tonetwork channel mode transition, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown states for a receiverdevice 301 and a backend device 303. In an example scenario, thereceiver device 301 may correspond to the wideband tuner 201, thenarrowband tuner 203, and the crossbar 205, and the back end device 303may correspond to the backend 207, shown in FIG. 2.

In stage 1, both network channel packets and video channel packets maybe available from the wideband tuner. A request to switch from widebandconfiguration to narrowband configuration may be sent to the receiverdevice 301 from the backend device 303. In stage 2, video channels maybe turned off first while leaving the network channel in the widebandtuner on, then the narrowband tuner may be turned on tuning to networkchannel. Note that in this stage, network channel packets may beavailable from both the wide-band tuner and the narrowband tuner. Instage 3, the network channel in the wideband tuner may be turned off, sothat network channel packets may be available from the narrow-band tuneronly, thereby reducing power usage.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example transition from network channel mode tovideo mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referringto FIG. 4, there is shown a state transition diagram for the receiverdevice 301 and the backend device 303.

In stage 1, network channel packets may be available from thenarrow-band tuner. The backend device 303 may send a request to thereceiver device 301 to switch from narrowband to wide-bandconfiguration. In stage 2, the wideband tuner may be turned on, and tuneto a network channel and video channels. Note that in this stage,network channel packets may be available from both the wideband tunerand the narrowband tuner. The receiver device 301 may indicate it isready to switch from narrowband configuration to wideband configuration.In stage 3, the network channel in the narrow-band tuner may be turnedoff. The network channel packets and video packets may thus be availablefrom the wideband tuner in this stage while the narrow band tuner isoff, thereby reducing power consumption.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating example steps in transitioningfrom a video mode to a network channel mode, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The example method illustrated in FIG. 5may, for example, share any or all functional aspects discussedpreviously with regard to FIGS. 1-4. Referring to FIG. 5, after startstep 501, in step 503, the receiver may be in wideband mode with bothnetwork channel and video channels received by the wideband tuner.

In step 507, a request may be sent from the backend device to thereceiver device to switch to a low-power narrowband mode and thenarrowband tuner may be turned on, so that the network channel may bereceived by either the narrowband tuner or the wideband tuner. In step509, the video channels may be turned off and the network channel mayremain on and received by the wideband tuner or the narrowband tuner. Instep 511, the wideband tuner may be turned off and the network channelsmay be received by the narrowband tuner, followed by end step 513.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating example steps in transitioningfrom a network channel mode to a video mode, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The exemplary method illustrated in FIG. 6may, for example, share any or all functional aspects discussedpreviously with regard to FIGS. 1-5. Referring to FIG. 6, after startstep 601, in step 603, the receiver may be in network channel mode wherethe narrowband tuner may be on and receiving network channel packetswhile the wideband tuner may be off, such that no video channels arebeing received.

In step 605, a request may be sent by the backend device to the receiverdevice to switch to wideband configuration, followed by step 607, wherethe wideband tuner may be switched on and may tune to network and videochannels. Network channels may be received by either the narrowbandtuner or the wideband tuner at this stage, and the backend device mayswitch from selecting network channel packets from the narrowband tunerto selecting from the wideband tuner. In step 609, the narrowband tunermay be turned off and both network channels and video channels may bereceived by the wideband tuner only, followed by end step 611.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example receiver transitionfrom video mode to network channel mode, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown areceiver 700 in three different stages, STAGES 1-3, the receiver 700comprising a wideband RF module 701, a wideband channelization module705A, a narrowband RF module 703, a narrowband channelization module705B, a crossbar and network channel selection module 707, demodulationmodules 709A-709H, and a backend device 711. There is also shown theinput video signals 209 and the network channel signal 211.

The wideband RF module 701 may be operable to process RF signalscomprising a plurality of channels, including video and networkchannels, for example. Accordingly, the wideband RF module 701 maycomprise amplifiers, filters, and down-conversion circuitry, forexample, for receiving and processing RF signals of a sufficientbandwidth that comprises a plurality of video channels for subsequentchannelization and demodulation.

The wideband channelization module 705A may be operable to receive awideband signal from the wideband RF module 701 and create a pluralityof sub-bands, or channels, for the received video and/or networkchannels to be communicated to the crossbar and network channelselection module 707.

Similarly, the narrowband RF module 703 may be operable to receive andprocess RF signals in a narrow frequency band, and the narrowbandchannelization module 705B may be operable to channelize the receivedsignal, which may comprise a network channel, for example. The output ofthe channelization module 705B may be communicatively coupled to thecrossbar and network channel selection module 707.

The crossbar and network channel select module 707 may be operable toreceive a plurality of inputs and couple them to desired outputs thatmay be communicatively coupled to the demodulators 709A-709H. Forexample, the crossbar and network channel select module 707 may beoperable to receive a plurality of video signals from the widebandchannelization module 705A and a network channel from the narrowbandchannelization module 705B, or may receive both the video channels 209and the network channel 211 via the wideband channelization module 705A.The crossbar and network channelization module 707 may be operable toswitch the received signals such that the video channels arecommunicated to the demodulators 709A-709C and 709E-709H while thenetwork channel is communicated to the demodulator 709D. The cross-barmay be operable to configure received data packets to a plurality ofwideband channels communicated to the backend 711.

The demodulators 709A-709H may comprise circuitry, logic, and/or codefor demodulating received signals to extract desired data, such asvideo/audio and network channel data, for example. Accordingly, thedemodulators 709A-709H may be operable to demodulate quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM) signals and generate MPEG transport streamoutput signals, for example. However, the receiver 700 is not solimited. Accordingly, any decoding technology may be utilized dependingon the video type and/or transport media utilized to deliver thesignals. Furthermore, the demodulators 709A-709H may be operable todemodulate signals comprising network channel data to extractprogramming guide data, for example.

The backend 711 may comprise circuitry for receiving and processing thereceived video channels and a network channel and providing an outputthat may be suitable for display, such as on the HDTV 107, for example.Accordingly, the backend 711 may comprise audio and video decoders andvideo formatting capability for generating audio and video signals fordisplay.

FIG. 7 illustrates the transition from a wideband mode in STAGE 1 to anarrowband mode in STAGE 3. In STAGE 1, the wideband RF module 701 andthe wideband channelization module 705A may be activated, i.e. poweredup, while the narrowband RF module 703 and the narrowband channelizationmodule 705B may be in a powered down or low power state. In this manner,both video and network channel signals may be received without requiringboth wideband and narrowband circuitry to be powered up.

In STAGE 2, both the wideband and the narrowband paths may be activatedduring a transition between narrowband and wideband configurations. Inthis state, the wideband RF module 701, the narrowband RF module 703,the wideband channelization module 705A, and the narrowbandchannelization module 705B may be in a powered up state and receivingsignals. Since the network channel is being received from both thewideband and the narrowband paths 710 and 720 at this time, the crossbarand network channel select module 707 may switch from the networkchannel received from the wideband channelization module 705A to thenetwork channel received from the narrowband channelization module 705B.

In STAGE 3, the wideband tuner 201 may be powered down or put into a lowpower state while the narrowband tuner 203 continues to receive thenetwork channel 211. This transition from STAGE 1 to STAGE 3 may occurwhen the a set top box comprising the receiver 200 is powered off by auser, where video channels are no longer to be viewed but the networkchannel 211 is still to be received to update the programming guide, forexample.

In this example scenario, the transition may still be performed duringSTAGE 2, as in FIG. 2, but the switching may be at thechannelization/demodulation interface, between the channelizationmodules 705A/705B and the demodulators 709A-709H, instead of the TSpacket interface between the wideband and narrowband tuners 201 and 203and the backend 207. One advantage of this scheme is that network tunerpackets are thus always available from the same demodulator 709A-709H TSpacket interface at the backend 711, indicated by the blackened squareat the output of demodulator 709D.

In an embodiment of the invention, a method and system may comprise acommunication device 103 comprising a wideband path 210, 710 and anarrowband path 220, 720, wherein the wideband path 210, 710 may beoperable to receive a plurality of channels and the narrowband path 220,720 may be operable to receive a single channel. A plurality of videochannels 209 and a network channel 211 may be received in the widebandpath 210, 710 when the communication device 103 is operating in a firststage, STAGE 1. A plurality of video channels 209 and a network channel211 may be received in the wideband path 210, 710 and the networkchannel 211 may also be received in the narrowband path 220, 720 whenthe communication device 103 is operating in a second stage, STAGE 2.

The network channel 211 may be received in the narrowband path 220, 720when the communication device 103 is operating in a third stage, STAGE3. The second stage, STAGE 2, may comprise a transition from the firststage, STAGE 1, to the third stage, STAGE 3, and from the third stage,STAGE 3, to the first stage, STAGE 1. The wideband path 210 may comprisea wideband tuner 201 that is operable to tune to a plurality of channelsconcurrently and said narrowband path 220 may comprise a narrowbandtuner 203 that is operable to tune to a single channel at a time. Thewideband path 710 may comprise a wideband radio frequency (RF) module701 and a wideband channelization module 705A and the narrowband path720 may comprise a narrowband RF module 703 and a narrowbandchannelization module 705B.

A network channel may be selected from the network channel received bythe wideband channelization module 705A and the network channel receivedby the narrowband channelization module 705B utilizing a crossbar 707.One or more of the received video channels may be processed utilizing abackend module 207, 711 in the communication device 103 for output to adisplay device 107.

The narrowband path 220, 720 may be configured in a powered down statewhen the communication device 103 is operating in the first stage, STAGE1, and the wideband path 220, 720 may be configured in a powered downstate when the communication device 103 is operating in the third stage,STAGE 3. The reception of the network channel 211 from both the widebandpath 210, 710 and the narrowband path 220, 720 may enable a continuousreception of the network channel 211 in a transition between the firststage, STAGE 1. and the third stage, STAGE 3.

Other embodiments of the invention may provide a non-transitory computerreadable medium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machinereadable medium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machinecode and/or a computer program having at least one code sectionexecutable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machineand/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for multi-pathvideo and network channels.

Accordingly, aspects of the invention may be realized in hardware,software, firmware or a combination thereof. The invention may berealized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system or ina distributed fashion where different elements are spread across severalinterconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or otherapparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein issuited. A typical combination of hardware, software and firmware may bea general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, whenbeing loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that itcarries out the methods described herein.

One embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as a boardlevel product, as a single chip, application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or with varying levels integrated on a single chip with otherportions of the system as separate components. The degree of integrationof the system will primarily be determined by speed and costconsiderations. Because of the sophisticated nature of modernprocessors, it is possible to utilize a commercially availableprocessor, which may be implemented external to an ASIC implementationof the present system. Alternatively, if the processor is available asan ASIC core or logic block, then the commercially available processormay be implemented as part of an ASIC device with various functionsimplemented as firmware.

The present invention may also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext may mean, for example, any expression, in any language, code ornotation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having aninformation processing capability to perform a particular functioneither directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversionto another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a differentmaterial form. However, other meanings of computer program within theunderstanding of those skilled in the art are also contemplated by thepresent invention.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiments disclosed, but that the present inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method for communication, the method comprising:in a communication device comprising a wideband path and a narrowbandpath: receiving a video channel and a network channel in said widebandpath when said communication device is operating in a first stage;receiving a video channel and a network channel in said wideband pathand also receiving said network channel in said narrowband path whensaid communication device is operating in a second stage; and receivingsaid network channel in said narrowband path when said communicationdevice is operating in a third stage, wherein said second stagecomprises a transition between said first stage and said third stage.22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said wideband pathcomprises a wideband tuner that is operable to tune to a plurality ofchannels concurrently and said narrowband path comprises a narrowbandtuner that is operable to tune to a single channel at a time.
 23. Themethod according to claim 21, wherein said wideband path comprises awideband radio frequency (RF) module and a wideband channelizationmodule and said narrowband path comprises a narrowband RF module and anarrowband channelization module.
 24. The method according to claim 23,comprising selecting either said network channel received by saidwideband channelization module or said network channel received by saidnarrowband channelization module, utilizing a crossbar.
 25. The methodaccording to claim 21, comprising processing said received video channelutilizing a backend module in said communication device for output to adisplay device.
 26. The method according to claim 21, comprisingconfiguring said narrowband path in a powered down state when saidcommunication device is operating in said first stage.
 27. The methodaccording to claim 21, comprising configuring said wideband path in apowered down state when said communication device is operating in saidthird stage.
 28. The method according to claim 21, wherein saidreceiving said network channel from both said wideband path and saidnarrowband path enables a continuous reception of said network channelin a transition between said first stage and said third stage.
 29. Asystem for communication, the system comprising: one or more circuitsfor use in a communication device comprising a wideband path and anarrowband path, said one or more circuits are operable to: receive avideo channel and a network channel in said wideband path when saidcommunication device is operating in a first stage; receive a videochannel and a network channel in said wideband path and also receivesaid network channel in said narrowband path when said communicationdevice is operating in a second stage; and receive said network channelin said narrowband path when said communication device is operating in athird stage, wherein said second stage comprises a transition betweensaid first stage and said third stage.
 30. The system according to claim29, wherein said wideband path comprises a wideband tuner that isoperable to tune to a plurality of channels concurrently and saidnarrowband path comprises a narrowband tuner that is operable to tune toa single channel at a time.
 31. The system according to claim 29,wherein said wideband path comprises a wideband radio frequency (RF)module and a wideband channelization module and said narrowband pathcomprises a narrowband RF module and a narrowband channelization module.32. The system according to claim 31, comprising selecting either saidnetwork channel received by said wideband channelization module or saidnetwork channel received by said narrowband channelization module,utilizing a crossbar.
 33. The system according to claim 29, wherein saidone or more circuits are operable to process said received video channelutilizing a backend module in said communication device for output to adisplay device.
 34. The system according to claim 29, wherein said oneor more circuits are operable to configure said narrowband path in apowered down state when said communication device is operating in saidfirst stage and to configure said wideband path in a powered down statewhen said communication device is operating in said third stage.
 35. Thesystem according to claim 29, wherein said receiving said networkchannel from both said wideband path and said narrowband path enables acontinuous reception of said network channel in a transition betweensaid first stage and said third stage.
 36. A system for communication,the system comprising: one or more circuits for use for use in acommunication device comprising a wideband path and a narrowband path,and wherein said communication device transitions between a first stageand a third stage while continuously receiving said network channel,said one or more circuits being operable to: receive a video channel anda network channel in said wideband path when said communication deviceis operating in said first stage; receive a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path and also receive said network channel insaid narrowband path when said communication device is operating in asecond stage; and receive said network channel in said narrowband pathwhen said communication device is operating in said third stage.
 37. Amethod for communication, the method comprising: in a communicationdevice comprising a wideband path and a narrowband path: receiving avideo channel and a network channel in said wideband path when saidcommunication device is operating in a first stage; receiving a videochannel and a network channel in said wideband path and also receivingsaid network channel in said narrowband path when said communicationdevice is operating in a second stage; and receiving said networkchannel in said narrowband path when said communication device isoperating in a third stage, wherein said second stage comprises atransition between said third stage and said first stage.
 38. The methodaccording to claim 37, wherein said wideband path comprises a widebandtuner that is operable to tune to a plurality of channels concurrentlyand said narrowband path comprises a narrowband tuner that is operableto tune to a single channel at a time.
 39. The method according to claim37, wherein said wideband path comprises a wideband radio frequency (RF)module and a wideband channelization module and said narrowband pathcomprises a narrowband RF module and a narrowband channelization module.40. The method according to claim 39, comprising selecting either saidnetwork channel received by said wideband channelization module or saidnetwork channel received by said narrowband channelization module,utilizing a crossbar.
 41. The method according to claim 37, comprisingprocessing said received video channel utilizing a backend module insaid communication device for output to a display device.
 42. The methodaccording to claim 37, comprising configuring said narrowband path in apowered down state when said communication device is operating in saidfirst stage.
 43. The method according to claim 37, comprisingconfiguring said wideband path in a powered down state when saidcommunication device is operating in said third stage.
 44. The methodaccording to claim 37, wherein said receiving said network channel fromboth said wideband path and said narrowband path enables a continuousreception of said network channel in a transition between said firststage and said third stage.
 45. A system for communication, the systemcomprising: one or more circuits for use in a communication devicecomprising a wideband path and a narrowband path, said one or morecircuits being operable to: receive a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path when said communication device isoperating in a first stage; receive a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path and also receiving said network channel insaid narrowband path when said communication device is operating in asecond stage; and receive said network channel in said narrowband pathwhen said communication device is operating in a third stage, whereinsaid second stage comprises a transition between said third stage andsaid first stage.
 46. The system according to claim 45, wherein saidwideband path comprises a wideband tuner that is operable to tune to aplurality of channels concurrently and said narrowband path comprises anarrowband tuner that is operable to tune to a single channel at a time.47. The system according to claim 45, wherein said wideband pathcomprises a wideband radio frequency (RF) module and a widebandchannelization module and said narrowband path comprises a narrowband RFmodule and a narrowband channelization module.
 48. The system accordingto claim 47, comprising selecting a network channel from said networkchannel received by said wideband channelization module and said networkchannel received by said narrowband channelization module utilizing acrossbar.
 49. The system according to claim 45, wherein said one or morecircuits are operable to process said received video channel utilizing abackend module in said communication device for output to a displaydevice.
 50. The system according to claim 45, wherein said one or morecircuits are operable to configure said narrowband path in a powereddown state when said communication device is operating in said firststage and to configure said wideband path in a powered down state whensaid communication device is operating in said third stage.
 51. Thesystem according to claim 45, wherein said receiving said networkchannel from both said wideband path and said narrowband path enables acontinuous reception of said network channel in a transition betweensaid first stage and said third stage.
 52. A method for communication,the method comprising: in a communication device comprising a widebandpath and a narrowband path: receiving a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path when said communication device isoperating in a first stage; receiving a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path and also receiving said network channel insaid narrowband path when said communication device is operating in asecond stage; and receiving said network channel in said narrowband pathwhen said communication device is operating in a third stage, whereinsaid wideband path comprises a wideband tuner that is operable to tuneto a plurality of channels concurrently and said narrowband pathcomprises a narrowband tuner that is operable to tune to a singlechannel at a time.
 53. The method according to claim 52, wherein saidwideband path comprises a wideband radio frequency (RF) module and awideband channelization module and said narrowband path comprises anarrowband RF module and a narrowband channelization module.
 54. Themethod according to claim 53, comprising selecting either said networkchannel received by said wideband channelization module or said networkchannel received by said narrowband channelization module, utilizing acrossbar.
 55. The method according to claim 52, comprising processingsaid received video channel utilizing a backend module in saidcommunication device for output to a display device.
 56. The methodaccording to claim 52, comprising configuring said narrowband path in apowered down state when said communication device is operating in saidfirst stage.
 57. The method according to claim 52, comprisingconfiguring said wideband path in a powered down state when saidcommunication device is operating in said third stage.
 58. The methodaccording to claim 52, wherein said receiving said network channel fromboth said wideband path and said narrowband path enables a continuousreception of said network channel in a transition between said firststage and said third stage.
 59. A system for communication, the systemcomprising: one or more circuits for use in a communication devicecomprising a wideband path and a narrowband path, said one or morecircuits being operable to: receive a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path when said communication device isoperating in a first stage; receive a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path and also receive said network channel insaid narrowband path when said communication device is operating in asecond stage; and receive said network channel in said narrowband pathwhen said communication device is operating in a third stage, whereinsaid wideband path comprises a wideband tuner that is operable to tuneto a plurality of channels concurrently and said narrowband pathcomprises a narrowband tuner that is operable to tune to a singlechannel at a time.
 60. The system according to claim 59, wherein saidwideband path comprises a wideband radio frequency (RF) module and awideband channelization module and said narrowband path comprises anarrowband RF module and a narrowband channelization module.
 61. Thesystem according to claim 60, comprising selecting either said networkchannel received by said wideband channelization module or said networkchannel received by said narrowband channelization module, utilizing acrossbar.
 62. The system according to claim 59, wherein said one or morecircuits are operable to process said received video channel utilizing abackend module in said communication device for output to a displaydevice.
 63. The system according to claim 59, wherein said one or morecircuits are operable to configure said narrowband path in a powereddown state when said communication device is operating in said firststage and to configure said wideband path in a powered down state whensaid communication device is operating in said third stage.
 64. Thesystem according to claim 59, wherein said receiving said networkchannel from both said wideband path and said narrowband path enables acontinuous reception of said network channel in a transition betweensaid first stage and said third stage.
 65. A method for communication,the method comprising: in a communication device comprising a widebandpath and a narrowband path: receiving a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path when said communication device isoperating in a first stage; receiving a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path and also receiving said network channel insaid narrowband path when said communication device is operating in asecond stage; and receiving said network channel in said narrowband pathwhen said communication device is operating in a third stage, whereinsaid wideband path comprises a wideband radio frequency (RF) module anda wideband channelization module and said narrowband path comprises anarrowband RF module and a narrowband channelization module.
 66. Themethod according to claim 65, comprising selecting either said networkchannel received by said wideband channelization module or said networkchannel received by said narrowband channelization module, utilizing acrossbar.
 67. The method according to claim 65, comprising processingsaid received video channel utilizing a backend module in saidcommunication device for output to a display device.
 68. The methodaccording to claim 65, comprising configuring said narrowband path in apowered down state when said communication device is operating in saidfirst stage.
 69. The method according to claim 65, comprisingconfiguring said wideband path in a powered down state when saidcommunication device is operating in said third stage.
 70. The methodaccording to claim 65, wherein said receiving said network channel fromboth said wideband path and said narrowband path enables a continuousreception of said network channel in a transition between said firststage and said third stage.
 71. A system for communication, the systemcomprising: one or more circuits for use in a communication devicecomprising a wideband path and a narrowband path, said one or morecircuits being operable to: receive a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path when said communication device isoperating in a first stage; receive a video channels and a networkchannel in said wideband path and also receive said network channel insaid narrowband path when said communication device is operating in asecond stage; and receive said network channel in said narrowband pathwhen said communication device is operating in a third stage, whereinsaid wideband path comprises a wideband radio frequency (RF) module anda wideband channelization module and said narrowband path comprises anarrowband RF module and a narrowband channelization module.
 72. Thesystem according to claim 71, comprising selecting either said networkchannel received by said wideband channelization module or said networkchannel received by said narrowband channelization module, utilizing acrossbar.
 73. The system according to claim 71, wherein said one or morecircuits are operable to process said received video channel utilizing abackend module in said communication device for output to a displaydevice.
 74. The system according to claim 71, wherein said one or morecircuits are operable to configure said narrowband path in a powereddown state when said communication device is operating in said firststage and to configure said wideband path in a powered down state whensaid communication device is operating in said third stage.
 75. Thesystem according to claim 71, wherein said receiving said networkchannel from both said wideband path and said narrowband path enables acontinuous reception of said network channel in a transition betweensaid first stage and said third stage.
 76. A method for communication,the method comprising: in a communication device comprising a widebandpath and a narrowband path: receiving a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path when said communication device isoperating in a first stage; receiving a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path and also receiving said network channel insaid narrowband path when said communication device is operating in asecond stage; receiving said network channel in said narrowband pathwhen said communication device is operating in a third stage; andprocessing said received video channel utilizing a backend module insaid communication device for output to a display device.
 77. The methodaccording to claim 76, comprising configuring said narrowband path in apowered down state when said communication device is operating in saidfirst stage.
 78. The method according to claim 76, comprisingconfiguring said wideband path in a powered down state when saidcommunication device is operating in said third stage.
 79. The methodaccording to claim 76, wherein said receiving said network channel fromboth said wideband path and said narrowband path enables a continuousreception of said network channel in a transition between said firststage and said third stage.
 80. A system for communication, the systemcomprising: one or more circuits for use in a communication devicecomprising a wideband path and a narrowband path, said one or morecircuits being operable to: receive a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path when said communication device isoperating in a first stage; receive a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path and also receive said network channel insaid narrowband path when said communication device is operating in asecond stage; receive said network channel in said narrowband path whensaid communication device is operating in a third stage; and processsaid received video channel utilizing a backend module in saidcommunication device for output to a display device.
 81. The systemaccording to claim 80, wherein said one or more circuits are operable toconfigure said narrowband path in a powered down state when saidcommunication device is operating in said first stage and to configuresaid wideband path in a powered down state when said communicationdevice is operating in said third stage.
 82. The system according toclaim 80, wherein said receiving said network channel from both saidwideband path and said narrowband path enables a continuous reception ofsaid network channel in a transition between said first stage and saidthird stage.
 83. A method for communication, the method comprising: in acommunication device comprising a wideband path and a narrowband path:receiving a video channel and a network channel in said wideband pathwhen said communication device is operating in a first stage; receivinga video channel and a network channel in said wideband path and alsoreceiving said network channel in said narrowband path when saidcommunication device is operating in a second stage; receiving saidnetwork channel in said narrowband path when said communication deviceis operating in a third stage; and configuring said narrowband path in apowered down state when said communication device is operating in saidfirst stage.
 84. The method according to claim 83, comprisingconfiguring said wideband path in a powered down state when saidcommunication device is operating in said third stage.
 85. The methodaccording to claim 83, wherein said receiving said network channel fromboth said wideband path and said narrowband path enables a continuousreception of said network channel in a transition between said firststage and said third stage.
 86. A system for communication, the systemcomprising: one or more circuits for use in a communication devicecomprising a wideband path and a narrowband path, said one or morecircuits being operable to: receive a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path when said communication device isoperating in a first stage; receive a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path and also receive said network channel insaid narrowband path when said communication device is operating in asecond stage; receive said network channel in said narrowband path whensaid communication device is operating in a third stage; and configuresaid narrowband path in a powered down state when said communicationdevice is operating in said first stage and configure said wideband pathin a powered down state when said communication device is operating insaid third stage.
 87. The system according to claim 86, wherein saidreceiving said network channel from both said wideband path and saidnarrowband path enables a continuous reception of said network channelin a transition between said first stage and said third stage.
 88. Amethod for communication, the method comprising: in a communicationdevice comprising a wideband path and a narrowband path: receiving avideo channel and a network channel in said wideband path when saidcommunication device is operating in a first stage; receiving a videochannel and a network channel in said wideband path and also receivingsaid network channel in said narrowband path when said communicationdevice is operating in a second stage; receiving said network channel insaid narrowband path when said communication device is operating in athird stage; and configuring said wideband path in a powered down statewhen said communication device is operating in said third stage.
 89. Themethod according to claim 88, wherein said receiving said networkchannel from both said wideband path and said narrowband path enables acontinuous reception of said network channel in a transition betweensaid first stage and said third stage.
 90. A system for communication,the system comprising: one or more circuits for use in a communicationdevice comprising a wideband path and a narrowband path, said one ormore circuits being operable to: receive a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path when said communication device isoperating in a first stage; receive a video channel and a networkchannel in said wideband path and also receive said network channel insaid narrowband path when said communication device is operating in asecond stage; and receive said network channel in said narrowband pathwhen said communication device is operating in a third stage, whereinsaid receiving said network channel from both said wideband path andsaid narrowband path enables a continuous reception of said networkchannel in a transition between said first stage and said third stage.91. A method for communication, the method comprising: in acommunication device comprising a wideband path and a narrowband path:receiving a video channel and a network channel in said wideband pathwhen said communication device is operating in a first stage; receivinga video channel and a network channel in said wideband path and alsoreceiving said network channel in said narrowband path when saidcommunication device is operating in a second stage; and receiving saidnetwork channel in said narrowband path when said communication deviceis operating in a third stage, wherein said receiving said networkchannel from both said wideband path and said narrowband path enables acontinuous reception of said network channel in a transition betweensaid first stage and said third stage.